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Science of Reading:
The Podcast
Science of Reading: The Podcast delivers the latest insights from researchers and practitioners in early reading. Each episode takes a conversational approach and explores a timely topic related to the Science of Reading.
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Meet Our Host: Susan Lambert
In each episode, host Susan Lambert, chief academic officer of elementary humanities at Amplify, explores the increasing body of scientific research about how reading is best taught. As a former classroom teacher, administrator, and curriculum developer, Susan has special interests in turning theory into best practices that educators can use in the classroom and showcasing national models of reading instruction excellence. Listen and subscribe here!
Science of Reading season 9
Science of Reading: The Podcast is back for a reboot! Throughout Season 9, we’ll build on the fundamentals of evidence-based literacy instruction, reexamining the key principles of reading research while exploring the latest science. And we’ll also be paying special attention to the reciprocal relationship between reading and writing throughout!
In this episode Susan Lambert is joined by Hugh Catts, Ph.D., professor at Florida State University, to break down what comprehension is and bust some myths about what it isn’t. With a family history of dyslexia, he has a personal connection to the topic that led him into research in language sciences and language disorders. He discusses how his findings moved him away from viewing comprehension as simply a “component of reading” but rather something entirely separate—a condition created over time, defined by purpose, and influenced by prior knowledge. Together, Susan and Hugh address many comprehension-related concepts, such as the Simple View of Reading, the five pillars of reading, and comprehension’s relationship to knowledge building. Hugh also gives listeners practical advice for helping students suss out their comprehension before reading, and he clarifies why understanding the standard of coherence is important.
On this episode, Kari Kurto, National Science of Reading Project Director at The Reading League, discusses The Reading League’s curriculum evaluation tool, which assesses a curriculum’s research-based practices. Kurto’s conversation with Susan Lambert touches on her background teaching students with dyslexia, the non-negotiables in curriculum aligned to the Science of Reading, and how educators can use information about an evaluated curriculum to inform instruction. While Kurto stresses that no program is perfect, she and her colleagues have worked to equip educators with a tool to more easily and objectively access information when making curriculum choices.
In this episode, Susan Lambert welcomes back Sue Pimentel to discuss the history and impact of the Common Core Standards on English Language Arts (ELA) and Literacy in the United States. Susan and Sue revisit what the standards were designed to focus on: knowledge building, college and career readiness, and fluency in both literary and informational texts. Their conversation covers the importance of text complexity, the lack of a research base to support leveled readers, knowledge building as a matter of equity, and content as a matter of access. While acknowledging the value of these standards, the discussion also highlights their limitations. Sue underscores the importance of always returning to the research to ensure students are truly learning, being prepared to navigate the world, and ultimately, to live happier lives.
In the Season 9 premiere of Science of Reading: The Podcast, Susan Lambert speaks with Ray James, Head of School at The Ansley School, about the transformative impact of literacy instruction. The Ansley School, which serves children experiencing homelessness, has made evidence-based literacy instruction a key piece of its efforts to foster profound educational and community change. Ray shares his journey and explores how a focus on literacy provides benefits that extend beyond the classroom to the broader community. This episode underscores the importance of foundational literacy skills and sets the stage for a new season dedicated to a literacy reboot.
